“Do we need to do anything?” Sol whispered to Jules.
“No,” Ezra responded. “She’ll be back in a moment.”
“She takes care of everything,” Jules said reassuringly.
Sol did not look reassured, but Meena was thoroughly intrigued.
A few moments later, she returned, holding a thin bouquet of dried herbs. She held them in her hands, crushing the leaves lightly between her fingers as she approached Sol and Meena at the center of the room.
Meena instantly caught the scent of the herbs and breathed it in. It reminded her of the forests back home, but there was a touch of the desert in the smell as well.
“Face each other,” Sophie instructed, gently gesturing with her hands to direct them.
Feeling embarrassed, humored, and relaxed, Meena turned to face Sol.
The woman said nothing, and it seemed as though she wanted something more from them.
Meena took another step closer, so she and Sol were closer together.
Sophie nodded. “Now, if you would hold each other’s hands.”
Meena looked up at Sol. His stony expression was easy to read. He was not enjoying this. She held out her hands, keenly aware of Jules and Ezra’s presence.
Sol lifted his hands, placing them stiffly under Meena’s.
The woman said nothing for several long breaths.
Meena could feel both her face and her palms warming. Sol’s hands remained completely motionless under her own.
“Captain and Lady Levek, I believe this moment may be more meaningful to our friends if you were not present.”
Meena almost snickered. She definitely liked this woman.
“Of course,” Jules immediately said, bowing his shoulders and head. “Whatever you wish, we would be happy to comply.” With an arm extended to his wife, Jules led her across the room. “Let’s go next door to visit your favorite seamstress, shall we? Perhaps find you something new?”
“I don’t have a favorite seamstress,” Ezra replied.
Meena’s body relaxed as they left the room.
Sophie waited a few more moments before speaking. “Having bound yourselves to one another, do you wish to recommit the vows you made?” she asked. The words were formal and sincere.
Meena swallowed. It had been hard enough to vow herself to Sol the first time, knowing it was all a ruse. Somehow, lying in the presence of this sweet woman felt even worse.
Meena felt her forehead tense.
Sol squeezed her hands.
She looked up at his face, expecting to see him scrunch his eyes and blink twice. The sooner they got this over with, the sooner they could continue their mission.
Instead, Sol shook his head at her.
Relieved, Meena nodded in understanding. “We are not prepared to recommit our vows.” She watched Sol’s face as she spoke, ensuring that they were thinking the same thing.
His hands relaxed under hers.
Meena turned to face the older woman.
Sophie slipped the covering from her head, shaking out her long, white hair. “That’s what I thought.” She waved at their joined hands.
